28 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



brown, the feathers etlged with grayish-white ; secondary cov- 

 erts tipped with white ; primary coverts brownish-black, as are 

 the feathers on the rump ; upper tail coverts the same ; wing 

 quills dusky, their shafts white ; tail feathers ash-gray, the inner 

 webs of the middle pair much darker ; over the eye a white 

 line ; lower parts white ; legs black. Length six inches and a 

 half, wing four. 



" This numerous species inhabits almost every part of the 

 North American continent. In large flocks, they congregate on 

 the beaches and sand-bars, and meadows, along the seacoast, as 

 well as on the shores of the interior lakes and streams. When 

 feeding, this species scatter about in small parties ; when sur- 

 prised, it runs with a peculiarly rapid movement — collecting 

 together in such close bodies, that as many as twenty, and some- 

 times a larger number, are killed at a single discharge. When 

 closely pursued, they move off in one mass, uttering a chirping 

 note, wjiich by imitating they shortly obey. They subsist 

 chiefly on minute animal productions. On dissecting it I have 

 found in its stomach small particles of sea-weed and sand. In 

 the fall it gets very fat, and is considered a delicacy. It breeds 

 at the far North ; laying four or five white eggs, spotted and 

 blotched with black." 



" It aiTives among us in spring, and remains with us, should 

 the season be open, until quite late in autumn, when it departs 

 for its winter quarters at the South." 



No. 11. Wilson's Sandpiper — Lohipes Wilsonii; And. 



"Though more abundant on the coast, it is not entirely con- 

 fined to the sea-shore, but is likewise met with along the margins 

 of the interior lakes and rivers. On the shores of Long Island 

 it is very plentiful, and during the month of September is usual- 

 ly in excellent condition for the table. By gunners generally, 

 it is neglected on account of its inferior size ; though by many 

 it is esteemed far superior, both in flavor and juiciness, to many 

 of our larger shore birds. This species has a low lisping note ; 



